Connecting mechanism



Dec. 12, 1939. R. L. HALL.

CONNECTING MEGHANISM Filed Sept. 24, 193'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NW1 ,.N.

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R. L. HALL CONNECTING MECHANI SM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 24, 1937 m llllllli illnlll..

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ab ASN Patented Dec. l2, 1939 UNTED STATES FTEN HE 2,183,138 ooNNEoTING MCHANrsM Robert Leicester Hall, Garden City, N.v Y.

Application September 24., 1937, Serial No. 165,464

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a spring assembly mechanism and more particularly one adapted to present varying degrees of tension.

In many instances there is need for releasably 45v holding two parts in close proximity and providing a tension to aid in maintaining them in such position. These objects have been generally accomplished by vacuum or pressure and have required some independent action in addition to the force pulling the bodies apart to release the pressure or vacuum.

The device of the present invention is adapted to present a high tensile force which offers a strong initial resistance to movement of the parts -joined by the device, but which when once overcome may remain dormant permitting movement of the parts Within limits and which as the parts are moved may provide a force to aid in maintaining them in their new position.

Another feature of the device of the invention is that it may be constructed to provide a resilient joinder member which presents a relatively high resistance to separation of the parts joined by it, which resistance when overcome by suflicient .25 external force to separate the parts remains substantially inactive until the parts are brought approximately together again.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a par thereof, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional View of one form of the invention in contracted position;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of the device -40as shown in Fig. 1, taken at right angles to the view shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 in substantially extended position;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line 4-5 of Fig 1; f

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View of another form of the device in contracted position;

Fig. 6 is a cross section of the form of device shown in Fig. 5 in extended position; and

Fig. 'l is a View of the device as applied in an airplane wing.

.- Referring now to the drawings, and particu- ,.555A larly Figs. l, 2 and 3; l represents a connecting frame member which may be constructed as a cylinder. Cap members 2 and 3' may be placed at opposite ends of the cylindrical frame member and have openings 4 and 5 respectively therein, which in the case of a cylinder are preferably concentric' therewith. These caps may be fastened to the frame member by any desirable means such as the rivets (i, 6 and l, l.

An extension rod 3 is fastened to one of the caps, here shown as cap 2, and secured thereto by any suitable means such as the rivets l l, H.

The extension rod 8 may have an eye lll located adjacent one end for expediting attachment to a desired point.

A cylinder 9, smaller than the cylinder l is adapted to slide through the opening in one of the caps such as 3. This cylinder is telescopically mounted within cylinder l and extends substantially the entire length of cylinder l and protrudes therethrough and may have attached thereto as by the rivets la, or other desirable means, an extension l2 which may have an eye I3 therein to facilitate attachment of the extension arm l2 to a desired point.

. A spring 25 is located within the cylinder 9 and extension rod 8 and may be fastened at one end to the extension arm 8 by means of the spring retainer plate 26 having a spring attaching eye 23 therein. Spring plate 26 is in turn fastened to the extension rod 8 as by the bolt 2l. The other end of the spring 25 is fastened to the cylinder 9 as by the bolt 24 which may also serve to secure a cam plate 22 to the cylinder 9.

Control arms I8 and I9 are located within the cylinder or frame l and act through the trolley Wheels i6 and l'l which in one position ride in a depression or annulus l5 in the cylinder l to releasably and resiliently unite the cylinder l to the cylinder 9, These trolley wheels l@ and H are rotatably connected to the control arms i8 and I9 respectively by their respective axles 32 and 33.

One end of the control arms i8 and i9 is supported by trolley wheels 23 and 2i rotatably connectedto the control arms by their respective axles 34 and 35. The other ends of the control arms may be pivotally secured to a spring abutment collar 36 as at Si) and 3l respectively.

The spring abutment collar is adapted to slide between the cylinder 9 and cylinder l2 and serves as a seat for one end of a spring 3l which is preferably substantially stronger than the spring 25 and is retained at its other end by a spring abutment collar 33 Which is fastened to the cylinder B adjacent one end.

In Figs. l and 2 the device is shown in its contracted position. In this position the ends 8 and I 2 are being pulled together by the contractible force of the tensor spring 25 and the expanding force of the compression spring 37, their movement being limited by the abutment of cap 2 of the tube I against a resilient washer 39, interposed between the spring abutment collar 38 of the tube 9.

The parts are assembled in such fashion that in the contracted position of the mechanism the spring 25 is under tension and the spring 31 is under compression. Thus by the direct pull of the spring 25 the end members are held together with the cylinders I and 9 telescoped.

In addition to the direct eiort of spring 25 an indirect closing force is exerted by the spring 37. This spring, under compression, is seated in the collar 33 which is fastened to the tube S. Its opposite end which abuts against the piston collar 35 tends to drive it forward. This force is in turn transmitted to the control arms I8 and I9, the end wheels 2! and 2l of which ride on the cam 22 in the contracted position thus forcing the trolley follower wheels I5 and I'I outwardly into the groove formed by the annulus I5. Thus the expanding force of the spring 3l is transmitted to the outer tube I tending to contract the parts still further.

When sufficient separating effort is applied to the ends 3 and I2 to overcome the effort exerted by springs 25 and 3l, the tubes I and 9 will slide `relatively and the collar 38 and cap 2 separate. As the tubes I and 9 .are moved toward their extended positions the trolley wheels I5 and II will be held in the annulus I5 until the trolley wheels 25 and 2| ride down off the cam 22 onto the cylinder Si to the position shown in Fig. 3. At this point the trolley wheels I6 and II will disengage the annular groove I5 and the tube I will move without any resistance being offered by the spring 3'! other than the frictional force transmitted by the trolley wheels I6 and I'I rolling on the inner face of the tube I. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 the limit of separation of the end parts 8 and I2 is governed by the length of the tube I from the annular groove I5 to the cap 3 and the extent to which the spring 25 is adapted to stretch.

It can thus 'be seen that once sucient force has been exerted to bring the parts into the position where the trolley wheels IB and II disengage the annular groove i5, the only force necessary thereafter to separate the parts to their limit is one sufficient to overcome the tensile strength of the spring 25 which may be relatively weak. Yet, in this form of the device when the parts have been separated, they can be easily returned to their substantially contracted position where both springs will again act to hold them in closed telescoped position.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a modied form of the invention, having not only means for presenting an initial high resistant force to separation but which when expanded gives a force substantially equal to its contractile force in the opposite direction. This form of the device may also be so designed as to present an initial resistance to compression which when overcome remains dormant during movement of the parts within limits.

In this form of the device there is a frame or cylinder member 5I having caps 52 and 53 on the ends thereof. These caps have holes 54 and 55 respectively in their ends substantially concentric with the cylinder or frame 5I and are secured to the frame 5I by such means as the rivets 55 and 5l. An extension rod 58 may be secured to the cap 52 by suitable means such as the bolt 6I passing through the end of the rod 58 and the cap 52. Adjacent the end of the rod 58 most removed from the cap 52, there may be a hole 5Fl adapted to aid in attaching the spring assembly mechanism to one of the points to which it is tc be aiiixed.

Telescopically mounted within the cylinder 5I the cap 53 and extending both beyond and substantially well up into the cylinder 5I in contracted position is a cylinder 59 having an extension arm 62 at one end thereof secured thereto by rivets (i4 or other desirable means. Located in the end of the arm 62 most removed from the cylinder 59 may be a hole 53 to aid in attaching this end of the spring assembly mechanism to one of the parts to which the spring device is to be Intermediate the ends of the cylinder 5I at desired points are located two depressed annuli 65 and IS which provide stops for trolley wheels and and S3 and 94, respectively, which 'travel between the outer cylinder 5I and the inner cylinder and in engagement with the outer cylinder 5E. These trolley wheels are mounted respectively on control arms 68, 69, 84 and 85. Contra?. arms 58 and 59 are pivotally attached at 'I5 and 15 to a spring abutment collar 86 which is slidable with respect to the cylinders 5I and 59. The control arms 84 and 85 are pivotally attached as at 88 and 89 to a spring abutment collar which is similarly slidable.

These control arms with their cooperating trolley wheels serve as releasable connecting members between the outer cylinder 5I and the inner cylinder 59. In the contracted position the trolley wheels 'Iii and II ride on a cam plate 12, thus holding the trolley wheels 6 and 6'! up in the annulus 55. The control arms B8 and G9 attached to the spring abutment collar 86 hold spring {"'I under compression, the other end of the spring being held in the spring abutment collar 9i) which has pivotally secured to it as at 38 and 89 the control arms 84 and 85. These control arms are similar in construction to the control arms E6 and 61 and have at their opposite ends trolley wheels QI and 92 respectively and have intermediary thereof trolley wheels 93 and 94 respectively which are adapted in the substantially expanded position of the device to seat in the annulus I3 and which in the closed position ride against the inner surface of the cylinder 5I.

In the contracted position the trolley wheels 9| and 92 ride on the inner cylinder 59 and in the expanded position the trolley Wheels 9| and S2 ride up onto the cam plate 74.

On both of the cam plates 'I2 and I3 may be located at a position just beyond the contracted and expanded positions respectively of the trolleys 5E, 6l, 84 and S5 abutment plates 'I'I and 'i3 respectively.

A device of this type, as shown in Fig. 5 in its contracted position, may have one end affixed to a stationary point by means of the attaching eye 53 and the other end attached to a movable point as by means of the attaching eye 50. In the closed position the trolleys 6G and 51 being held up into the annulus 65 serve to lock the inner fra-me 59 and the outer frame 5I together, the ends being pulled together by the action of a spring 5l which is under compression.

The spring is kept under compression in the substantially contracted position of the cylindersy by the spring abutment collar 90 which is held in position bythe trolley wheels 9| and 92 of the'control arms 8d and 85 abutting against the shoulderA Iii oi a cam plate 14. Thus separation of the outer cylinder with respect to the inner cylinder will be resisted. by the spring.

In Fig. I have shown the device in its eX- tended position. In this position the control arms t8 and EVS have slid down so that the wheels SE and Sl are disengaged from the annulus 65 with the result that the wheels 1@ and 'H in this position abut against the shoulder Sil of the cam plate 'l2 so that the force of the 'spring 81 no longer acts against the cylinder 5l to bring the ends together but is transmitted through the abutment plate d() pushing against the control arms 8d and 85 and the trolley wheels 93 and 94 now locked in the annulus I3 to force the two ends apart. In this position the trolley wheels Si and 92 ride on the caml plate M.

It can thus be seen that the device as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 acts not only to hold the parts together butwhen its effort in this direction has been overcome transmits it in the opposite direction to aid in holding the parts in vseparated position.

While I have described the device as being in contracted relation initially it is readily seen that it may be assembled in expanded position. In such a case it would hold the parts against closing and its operation would be reversed.

In Fig. 'l I have shown a form of the invention as described in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 installed in an airplane wing having aps which aid in decreasing the speed of the plane in landing.A In this hgure,v iti represents the wing of the plane generally, H52 represents the wing iiap or tab which is adapted to be depressed out of the air stream of the wing ,itil to act as a brake to reduce the normal speed at which a plane lands and decrease its angle of glide.

Flaps of this type are generally provided with means for opening them, such means being either a vacuum or pressure operated cylinder. This r cylinder, while satisfactory to open the naps, does not provide any energy to bring the flaps back and they must be brought back by some independent'iorce. Since the force required to hold the flaps in iully open position is considerable, it is desirable to have as weak a spring as possible to return the naps to their closed position. Such va spring will serve adequately to hold the flap vin closed position when the plane is not flying but because of the construction of the wing section a vacuum is created not only on the top of the wing but at the lower trailing edge of the wing and ap. As a result of this vacuum there is a strong tendency to open the flaps slightly thus spoiling the'air foil of the wing.

,When the iiap has been brought to its closed position as shown in Fig. 7 it can be seen that 'itV can be seen that with the device of the present 'invention a main spring having a closing effort of approximately one hundred pounds and a small spring having a closing eiort of about ten pounds may be used without necessitating increasing the strength of the opening cylinder but approximately 'twenty pounds. This is possible as the flap is opened through the first few degrees there is a vacuum created by the air passing under the wing which tends to open the ap.

The flap, which is here shown as the balanced split type, is pushed down by means of a vacuum cylinder |06 connected as at H2 by the tube Ill to a source of energy not here shown. This cylinder acts through a piston, not shown, and a piston rod H3 connected to a cylinder horn Hi8 as at Iilwhich is in turn connected to the fiap torque tube ll. Movement of the Hap beyond the first few degrees is resisted by the air passing beneath the wing of the plane, andthe spring connecter l. spring 3l, not here shown, within the cylinder l is tripped and no longer exerts a closing action, thus the force of the smaller spring 25, not here shown, in the cylinder l, is the only force in addition to the air current necessary` to be overcome to open the iiap.

Since the cylinder lii must have suicient energization to overcome the air stream, it can be seen there must be sufhcient force available to overcome the spring assembly mechanism and the only strength required in addition is about twenty pounds to overcome the small spring at the eX- tended positions.

If it is desired to hold the flaps open, the form of device shown in Figs. 5 and 6 may be used and a twoway cylinder used. Thus one is assured that even should a leak develop in the pressure or vacuum line, the flap will remain in open position as long as desired.

While I have shown the invention as installed in an airplane wing. it is, of course, to be understood that it is not limited to this application but is intended to cover all forms of the device as used in any installation.

Thus I have provided a joinder member which is adapted to be operatively associated with two other members in such a manner that it resists movement of said members in at least one direction.

Furthermore, it is so designed that it may provide an initial resistance tomovement of members in one direction and when the members are moved against its resistance will then reverse its action and resist the return of said members to their original position.

Also it may be so constructed that intermedi- I ate thepositions where it offers resistance or assistance to movement it remains substantially inactive.

The mechanism is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture and has few parts which are subject to wear and consequent deterioration.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that variousum As the flap is depressed the i relatively stronger than said first spring and y .means for rendering said second spring inactive -I' except when said tubular members are in their substantially closed position.

2. In a spring cooking mechanism, the combination oi an inner and outer frame member ,lidable respectively from closed to open position, fprrng means adapted the substantially closed position of said members to urge them into closer proximity Within limits and in open position adapt-ed to holdsaid inner and outer frame members in extended position Within limits.

n a spring cooking mechanism, the combination of two cylinders slide-ble relatively, spring means comprising a strc-ng and a Weak spring adapted to hold said cylinders in telescoped relaion, means rendering the stronger of said springs inactive when said cylinders have been puller apart so that they are not in substantially complete overlap.

4. A reversible spring acting member comprising an outer tube, an inner tube telescoping Within said outer tube, an abutment member at the inner end of said inner tube, a pair of slidable collars surrounding said inner tube, a compression spring between said tubes and between said tollars, a plurality of control arms pivotally con-- nected to one oi said collars, rollers on the ends of said control arms, a cam surface on said inner tube cooperating with said rollers, additional intermediate rollers on said control arms, a rein said outer tube adapted to r .ceive said intermediate rollers when said outer rolle s ride up on said cam surface, a set of second control arms pivotally connected to the other collar, rollers at the other end of said control arms. a cam surface on said inner tube coope ating with said rollers, intermediate rollers on said control arms, a recess on said outer tube cooperating with said intermediate rollers and an abutment secured to said inner tube limiting its movement and abutment secured to said inner tube and located between said second control the end of said outer tube and tensor spring within said inner tube connected at one end to the end thoreof and at its other end to said outer tube.

5. A device for operably connecting two members comprising a rst member and a second member relatively movable, connecting means adapted at all positions of said members Within predetermined limits to urge said members relative to each other in a predetermined direction, a second means operative in predetermined positions of said first and second members to eiect movement of said members in a predetermined direction relative to each other, a third means operatively connected to said second means and controlled by movement of said first and second roembers relative to each other to disengage said second means to render it inactive to affect relative movement of said first and second members during movement of said iirst and second members within predetermined limits.

6. A device for operably connecting two members comprising a rst member and a second member relatively movable, means adapted to connect said members in redetermined positions to affect movement of said members relative to each other, a second means operative in predetermined positions or said members to disconnect said first means and render it inactive to affect movement of said members relative to each other, a third means adapted to connect said members in predetermined positions do affect movement of said members relative to each other, a fourth means adapted to disconnect said third means to render it inactive to affect movement of said rst and second members dining movement thereof wit-hin predetermined limits, all of said means operatively controlled by movement of said rst and second members.

'7. A Wing flap return device comprising an outer tube having an abutment at one end, a tubular extension of reduced diameter connected to the other end of said outer tube, an inner tube telescopically mounted Within said outer tube, said inner tube carrying an annular collar member adjacent the inner end of said inner tube, a second annular collar member located in a space between saidinner and outer tubes and slidably mounted with respect thereto, a compression spring between said collar members, a cam surface carried by said inner tube, a plurality of control arms pivoted to said annular collar members, each arm carrying at its end a roller engagable with said cam surface and also carrying an intermediate roller, said outer tube carrying an abutment engageable with said intermediate roller and a tensor spring connected at one end to said inner tube and at its other end to said tubular extension located within said inner tube said tubular extension.

8. A force transmitting device comprising a first member, a second member associated with first member and movable relative thereto, ns energized by relative movement of said members through a predetermined distance for tering energy and means actuated by further relative movement of said members in the same direction for releasing said stored energy to effect further movement of said members in said direction.

9. A force transmitting device comprising rst second` members, means associated with said members for providing a predetermined resistance to a relative movement of said members in one direction and active to resist such movement throughout a predetermined distance, a second means active upon further movement of sai-:l members for locking out said resisting means and means active upon still further movement or" said members in said direction for activating said rst means to aid in movement of said members in one direction.

l0. A force transmitting device comprising rst and second members, means ssociated with said members for providing a predetermined resistance to a relative movement of said members in one direction and active to resist such movement throughout a predetermined distance, a second means active upon further movement of said members for locking out said resisting means and means active upon still further movement of said members in said direction for activating said rst means to aid in movement of said members in direction, all of said means being reversible upon movement of said members in the opposite direction.

ll. A force transmitting device comprising a rst member, a second member associated in overlapping relation with said rst member and movable relative thereto, means for operatively connecting said members including spring means and a cooperating cam and Wheel assembly, said connecting means adapted to be energized by a relative movement of said members through a predetermined distance for storing energy, and means including a second cooperating cam and wheel assembly actuated by further relative movement of said members in the same direction for releasing said stored energy to affect further movement of said members in said direction.

active upon further movement of said members for locking out said first means and means active upon further movement of said members to render said first means again active to aiect movement of said members.

13. A force transmitting device` comprising first andsecond members, means associated with said members for'providinga predetermined resistance to a relative movement of said members vin one direction and active to resist such movement throughout a predetermined distance, means comprising an abutment on one of said members, a cam on said second member, control arms and `Wheels active upon further movement of said .members for locking out said resisting means.

ROBERT LEICESTER HALL. 

